Adulthood Age Research Articles

Self-harming behaviours and social support among a sample of young men in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Abstract Background Psychiatric morbidity is substantially higher in Northern Ireland (NI) than in peer nations and men are disproportionately represented in suicide mortality data, particularly at early adulthood and middle age. To better scale interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality among young men, a mixed-methods study was conducted combining interviews and validated quantitative tools. Methods A non-random community sample of 30 working-class young men in Belfast aged 16-19 was recruited via organisations focused on job training, restorative justice, and youth work. Participants completed the Self-Harm Inventory and a semi-structured interview. Analyses were completed in NVivo and RStudio. Results The prevalence of self-harm was more than 8 times higher than for the general population of adolescents in NI, with 83.3% reporting ever engaging in self-harm. Only 2 of the 28 participants reported making a suicide attempt and most injuries were minor, suggesting nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) represented almost all injuries. Although the sample had a higher risk profile than the general population-with high levels of trauma, substance use, and socioeconomic deprivation-participants also endorsed strong social connections to friends, family, and community. While many expressed concerns about sharing their own emotional distress, almost all reported that disclosures are important to avert poor mental health and shared times when they or friends sought support. Conclusions Although there was a high prevalence of NSSI in the sample, the low prevalence of suicide attempts may be associated with the high levels of protective social connections reported by participants. Gender-based concerns regarding emotional support were common, but there was also strong endorsement for the importance of seeking support from trusted relationships. This suggests that there may be an appetite for male role models to provide education around the “bravery” of help-seeking. Key messages • Prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury may be substantially more elevated in some populations of adolescent males. • Gender-based concerns continue to act as a barrier to young men sharing their emotional distress with trusted individuals.

1.M. Scientific session: Young and lonely – exploring experiences, challenges, and potential solutions

Abstract Experiencing loneliness is a natural facet of human existence, often considered a normative aspect of adolescent life. However, for some adolescents, this experience evolves into a ‘vicious circle’ of prolonged loneliness, making it challenging to reconnect with their social environment. This issue is important given the significance of fulfilling social relationships during adolescence. Peer relationships are particularly important in facilitating various developmental processes such as identity formation, asserting of autonomy from parental influence, and acquisition of social skills. Loneliness among adolescents is notably high, as evidenced by mounting research highlighting its prevalence in this age group surpassing other age groups. Research spanning adulthood and old age consistently demonstrates loneliness as a risk factor for both mental and physical health outcomes, including stress, depression, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. Even during adolescence, loneliness is associated with adverse mental and physical health, with potential long-term consequences extending into adulthood. These findings underscore the imperative of addressing adolescent loneliness and the need for effective interventions and widespread solutions tailored to this demographic. This workshop aims to address adolescent loneliness, exploring their experiences, challenges, and the consequences of loneliness, while also addressing possibilities for mitigation and prevention. Through three presentations followed by a joint discussion with the audience, participants will gain important insights into this critical issue. The workshop will be chaired by Asst. Prof. Julie Christiansen (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark, and University of Southern Denmark). Julie Christiansen will provide an introductory overview, describing current knowledge of adolescent loneliness including prevalence, ascendants, and consequences, based on findings from the Danish National Health Survey (How are you?”). The first presentation will be given by Lily Verity (University of Manchester, UK), who will present the findings from a qualitative research study with adolescents highlighting factors that influence their approach to coping with loneliness. Following this, Prof. Mathias Lasgaard (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark, and University of Southern Denmark) and Dr. Anne Friis Bo (Defactum - Public Health Research, Denmark) will provide an overview of the intervention landscape, including current knowledge on the effectiveness of various intervention strategies. The presentation will also highlight the potential of community-based approaches. This will be exemplified through an introduction to the Danish initiative ‘More Together’ including 36 partners in Silkeborg Municipality. Lastly, Ph.D. student Lauren Burke (University of Manchester, UK) will present the findings from a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of loneliness interventions for children and adolescents. Key messages • The prevalence of loneliness among adolescents surpasses that of other age groups, substantiated by extensive research spanning nations. • Loneliness during adolescence is potentially modifiable through targeted interventions.

Inter-Role Conflict and Mental Health in Early Adulthood Females

Inter-role conflict is one of the most common and challenging realities. It occurs when an individual faces dual demands from different roles, and the situation is likely to cause a lot of psychological strains. This kind of conflict was most prevalent among females in the early adulthood age of development, a period that involves a turning point to other important developmental tasks in life such as procurement of employment, further educational pursuits, and formation of settlement or marriage. Work and family responsibilities become intertwined during this phase, as the drive for career advancement merges with other obligations, potentially impacting one's health. The effects of inter-role conflict on mental health can be significant, impacting such outcomes as anxiety, depression, and stress. Anxiety might manifest itself through constant apprehension or a low probability of performing well in one or more positions. At the same time, depression can cause a lack of self-worth and a negative outlook on life. Such mental health issues can lead to maladjustment in behavior, which means that one can become less productive at work as well as seclusion in their relationships. Inter-role conflict, if persistent, causes chronic stress, which worsens these concerns and may lead to irreversible mental health problems. This review also explores the impact of inter-role conflict on mental health outcomes and explores potential strategies to mitigate these effects. Some realistic approaches to reducing the psychological load include time management, role prioritization, and seeking social support. This literature review emphasizes the importance of psychological strategies from existing literature to help young women manage their roles more effectively. Therefore, by integrating literature from the existing research, this study illuminates how inter-role conflict affects early adulthood females’ mental health with a focus on coping strategies.

Perilaku Cyberbullying Pada Emerging Adulthood: Peran Kontrol Diri dan Regulasi Emosi

Technological advancements have significantly impacted their users, including negative effects such as cyberbullying. According to a survey by the Association of Internet Service Providers in Indonesia (APJII), internet users are predominantly from the early adulthood age group, with West Java ranking second in highest internet penetration among the Indonesian islands. This study aims to determine whether self-control and emotion regulation influence cyberbullying behavior among emerging adults in West Java. The research employs a quantitative method with a causal design. The study includes 385 respondents selected through convenience sampling. Researchers utilized three standardized scales: the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Cyberbullying Perpetration (CBP). Data analysis was conducted using multiple regression analysis (T-test and F-test) with SPSS version 25.0 for Windows. The research findings show a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating that self-control and emotion regulation have a significant influence on cyberbullying behavior. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted while the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected, meaning that self-control and emotion regulation indeed influence cyberbullying behavior among emerging adults in West Java, contributing 18.5% to the variance. Individuals in emerging adulthood are encouraged to strengthen their self-control and emotion regulation to reduce cyberbullying behavior, thereby creating a healthier and safer online environment.

In utero and childhood exposure to the great Chinese famine and risk of aging in adulthood

Background Early-life exposure to famine may influence the occurrence of chronic diseases and aging in midlife among those exposed. This study aims to explore the relationship between exposure to the Chinese Great Famine and aging in middle-aged individuals. Methods Participants born in 1963–1965 (unexposed), 1959–1961 (in utero exposure), and 1955–1957 (childhood exposure) from the Kailuan Study were included. Their biological age at 2010, 2014, and 2018 was investigated, and age acceleration (biological age minus actual age) was calculated to assess aging. Logistic regression analysis was employed to describe the relationship between famine exposure and the aging risk. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were conducted to explore differences and stability in this relationship among different groups. Results A total of 17,543 participants were included in this study. Among them, 12,762 (72.7%) were male, and 4,781 (27.3%) were female, with 2,543 participants experiencing aging events. Compared to unexposed participants, those exposed during childhood and in utero exhibited a 1.69-fold (OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.53–1.87) and 1.22-fold (OR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.08–1.37) increased risk of aging. Subgroup analysis revealed an interaction with income (P for interaction = 0.008), and additional interaction analysis suggested that increasing income could partially mitigate the detrimental effects of early-life famine exposure. Furthermore, experiencing famine in severely affected regions exacerbated the risk of aging (OR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.21–1.63). Conclusion Exposure to famine in utero or during childhood may elevate the risk of midlife aging among exposed individuals, and these relationships are influenced by the severity of famine exposure. Increasing income may also help mitigate these effects.Trial registration: Kailuan study, ChiCTRTNRC11001489. Registered July 19, 2015 Retrospectively registered, https//www.chictr.org.cn/showprojEN.html?proj=8050&u_atoken=af46a0dee8d73f320bb5459ab7bbcfa9&u_asig=1a0c381017255295896468605e00cf .

Challenges and Opportunities in Transitioning Autistic Individuals Into Adulthood.

Approximately 1.2 million autistic youth will reach the legal age of adulthood over the next decade. Given dynamic changes in the socioecological context of the transition to adulthood, we produced an updated transitions research agenda reflecting the perspectives of autistic young adults, care partners (parents), and professionals who use autism research. We conducted 9 focus groups: 4 young adult, 4 care partner, and 1 professional, with 59 total participants. Young adults were grouped by self-reported identity: (1) racial and ethnic minority, (2) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other identities, and (3) nonspeaking, in addition to a general group. We selected care partners who supported youth with varying intensity of support needs. We used rapid qualitative inquiry methods to extract key points from answers to semistructured interview questions. Delays in diagnosis and transition processes, and placement on wait lists resulted in significant obstacles to successful transitions. Parents assumed a dominant role by coordinating services, navigating systems and identifying opportunities for community participation, and providing direct supports. There was an overarching need for inclusion of autistic people in transitions research and consideration of cultural differences in priorities and values. Participants prioritized investigation of variation in transitions among autistic youth with intersecting identities, navigation support (eg, peer mentors), efficacy of services and supports (eg, transition and employment services), differences in available services by location, and problems within specific benefits programs. Research should focus on understanding population-level factors of system performance on outcomes and support needs, service delivery among marginalized groups, and transformation of complex service ecosystems.

Age differences in emotional reactivity to facets of sadness and anger

ABSTRACT Emotional reactivity, based on the discrete emotions approach (DEA), is related to opportunities or constraints across development. While prior research suggests sadness to be more adaptive in old age and anger to be more adaptive in young adulthood, there may be facets within these discrete emotion categories that further expand the DEA framework: loss-based vs. failure-based sadness and frustration-based vs. moral violation-based anger. A sample of 49 younger adults (M age = 20.00, SD = 2.26) and 51 older adults (M age = 66.00, SD = 4.94) were asked to relive and describe an emotional memory associated with facets of sadness and anger. Emotional reactivity was operationalized through self-report ratings on distinct facet categories. Results revealed a significant age difference in emotional reactivity to moral violation-based anger, with older adults being more reactive than younger adults. No other significant age differences were observed. These findings are discussed in terms of how further distinctions across emotional facets can inform a better understanding of affective experience across adulthood and old age.

Adolescent close friendships, self-perceived social acceptance, and peer-rated likeability as predictors of wellbeing in young adulthood

IntroductionLinks between interpersonal relationships and physical and psychological functioning have been well-established in the literature. During adolescence, success or distress in peer relationships may have distinct effects on different aspects of wellbeing. The present study aims to examine the ways in which different adolescent peer relationship contexts (i.e., close friendship quality, social acceptance, and likability from peers) can predict outcomes relevant to adult wellbeing (i.e., social anxiety, depression, aggression, social integration, romantic insecurity, job satisfaction, and physical health). Further, the study considers how different developmental stages of adolescence may impact links between peer relationships and wellbeing outcomes.MethodPeer relationship contexts were assessed in early (ages 13–14) and late (ages 17–18) adolescence. Markers of wellbeing were measured in young adulthood (ages 28–30). A path analysis was used to examine whether the developmental timing of adolescent peer relationship contexts could predict wellbeing in young adulthood.ResultsResults suggest that, across adolescence, broader perceived social acceptance may be a more robust predictor of adult wellbeing compared to close friendship quality and peer likability. When examined at early and late adolescence separately, early adolescent social acceptance and late adolescent close friendship quality best predicted outcomes of adult wellbeing.DiscussionImplications and considerations for future research are discussed.

Death of a Parent, Racial Inequities, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Early to Mid-adulthood.

Black Americans experience the death of a parent much earlier in the life course than White Americans on average. However, studies have not considered whether the cardiovascular health consequences of early parental death vary by race. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we explore associations between early parental death and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in early to mid-adulthood (N = 4,193). We find that the death of a parent during childhood or adolescence (ages 0-17) or the transition to adulthood (ages 18-27) is associated with increased CVD risk for Black Americans, whereas parental death following the transition to adulthood (ages 28+) undermines cardiovascular health for both Black Americans and White Americans. These findings illustrate how a stress and life course perspective can help inform strategies aimed at addressing both the unequal burden of bereavement and high cardiovascular risk faced by Black Americans.

The pivotal role of neurosurgeons in transitional care: A comprehensive tertiary healthcare institution's experience.

Transitional care (TC) is increasingly crucial, particularly in neurosurgery, where optimal follow-through of patients' care is paramount. Challenges of transition are exacerbated by the complexity of neurosurgical conditions, with pediatric and adult neurosurgery often managed separately by different attending neurosurgeons or in different institutions. While numerous models for transitioning have been proposed, several barriers persist, impeding successful transfer from pediatric to adult settings. Our review focuses on important roles neurosurgeons can play in facilitating successful transition, exploring some existing TC models, with emphasis on the benefits of maintaining a single provider. Clinic visits data between 2019 to 2023 of patients between the ages of 16 to 26 was compiled retrospectively. Successful transition was defined as continued follow-up moving from pediatric to adulthood with lost to follow-up being that of unsuccessful transition. Age, diagnosis and whether patients were successfully transitioned or lost to follow-up were documented. 1829 neurosurgical patients between the ages of 16 to 26 were identified over 5 years. A snapshot review identified 78 adolescent patients deemed to require follow-up into adulthood. 13 patients had epilepsy, 32 central nervous system (CNS) tumors, 17 congenital conditions, 14 neurovascular, and 2 patients had idiopathic intracranial hypertension. All 78 were noted to have successfully transited into their adulthood (age 21 and beyond). Having the same providers; having pediatric and adult neurosurgery within the same institution, was the single most important factor in facilitating successful transition. Neurosurgeons in institutions, particularly those with experience and competencies in both pediatric and adult care, can serve as crucial anchors during the transitional period. At our institution, the implementation of this continuity of care model has demonstrated remarkable success. Institutions with both pediatric and adult services would be uniquely positioned to develop and implement effective transitional care.

Development of white matter in young adulthood: The speed of brain aging and its relationship with changes in fractional anisotropy

White matter (WM) development has been studied extensively, but most studies used cross-sectional data, and to the best of our knowledge, none of them considered the possible effects of biological (vs. chronological) age. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal multimodal study of WM development and studied changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the different WM tracts and their relationship with cortical thickness-based measures of brain aging in young adulthood. A total of 105 participants from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) prenatal birth cohort underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the age of 23-24, and the age of 28-30 years. At both time points, FA in the different WM tracts was extracted using the JHU atlas, and brain age gap estimate (BrainAGE) was calculated using the Neuroanatomical Age Prediction using R (NAPR) model based on cortical thickness maps. Changes in FA and the speed of cortical brain aging were calculated as the difference between the respective variables in the late vs. early 20s. We demonstrated tract-specific increases as well as decreases in FA, which indicate that the WM microstructure continues to develop in the third decade of life. Moreover, the significant interaction between the speed of cortical brain aging, tract, and sex on mean FA revealed that a greater speed of cortical brain aging in young adulthood predicted greater decreases in FA in the bilateral cingulum and left superior longitudinal fasciculus in young adult men. Overall, these changes in FA in the WM tracts in young adulthood point out the protracted development of WM microstructure, particularly in men.

Male Gender Expressivity and Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease Risks in Men

Male gender expressivity (MGE), which reflects prevalent sociocultural pressures to convey masculinity, has been associated with health. Yet, little is known about associations of MGE with the diagnosis and treatment of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. To investigate associations of MGE with modifiable CVD risk diagnoses and treatment in men. This population-based cohort study included data from waves I (1994-1995), IV (2008-2009), and V (2016-2018) of the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Participants were male adolescents (age 12-18 years) followed up longitudinally through younger adulthood (age 24-32 years) and adulthood (age 32-42 years). Data were analyzed from January 5, 2023, to August 28, 2024. Male gender expressivity was quantified in adolescence and younger adulthood using an empirically-derived and validated measurement technique that incorporates participants' responses to existing Add Health survey items to capture how similarly participants behave to same-gendered peers. Outcomes included self-reported diagnoses of CVD risk conditions (hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia) in adult men with elevated blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and self-reported treatment with antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, or lipid-lowering medications in adults reporting hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia. Multivariable regression was used to examine associations of adolescent and younger adult MGE with adult CVD risk diagnoses and treatment, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Among 4230 eligible male participants, most were non-Hispanic White (2711 [64%]) and privately insured (3338 [80%]). Their mean (SD) age was 16.14 (1.81) years in adolescence, 29.02 (1.84) years in younger adulthood, and 38.10 (1.95) years in adulthood. Compared with participants whose younger adult MGE was below average, those with higher younger adult MGE were overall less likely to report hypertension (22% vs 26%; P < .001), diabetes (5% vs 8%; P < .001), and hyperlipidemia (19% vs 24%; P < .001) diagnoses and diabetes treatment (3% vs 5%; P = .02) as adults. In multivariable models, every SD increase in adolescent MGE was associated with lower probabilities of adult hypertension treatment (MGE,-0.11; 95% CI, -0.16 to -0.6) and diabetes diagnoses (MGE, -0.15; 95% CI, -0.27 to -0.03). Higher younger adult MGE was associated with lower probabilities of adult hypertension diagnoses (MGE, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.07 to -0.01), hypertension treatment (MGE, -0.07; 95% CI, -0.13 to -0.01), and diabetes treatment (MGE, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.20 to -0.01). Adolescent and younger adult MGE outcomes were not associated with other adult CVD outcomes. In this cohort study of US males, higher adolescent and younger adult MGE was associated with lower adult hypertension and diabetes diagnoses and treatment. These findings suggest that males with high MGE may bear distinctive risks and correspondingly benefit from tailored public health efforts to prevent downstream CVD.

Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Younger Brain Age In Late Adulthood

Higher Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Younger Brain Age In Late Adulthood

Impact of childhood exposure to traffic related air pollution on adult cardiometabolic health: Exploring the role of perceived stress

BackgroundLittle is known about how childhood exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and stress interact to affect adults' cardiometabolic health. We examined this interaction and assessed the impact of over 10 years of childhood TRAP exposure on cardiometabolic health. MethodsFrom 2018 to 2023, 313 young adults from the Southern California Children's Health Study were enrolled in a follow-up assessment. Using CALINE4 line source dispersion model, average childhood TRAP exposures (from pregnancy to age 13) were estimated for nitrogen oxides (NOx) from all roads. Traffic density was calculated within a 300-m residential buffer. Cardiometabolic health was assessed in adulthood (mean age 24 ± 1.7) based on blood lipids (total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein [HDL, LDL], triglycerides), glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c), body composition (BMI, android/gynoid ratio [AG ratio], percent body fat), and blood pressure. A PDAY (Pathobiologic Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth) score was generated to evaluate overall cardiometabolic health. Participants' perceived stress was assessed in childhood and adulthood (ages 13 and 24 years, respectively). ResultsResults of mixed effects linear models, adjusted for demographics and smoking status, suggested that each standard deviation increase in childhood exposure to traffic-related total NOx was associated with 0.62 increase in PDAY score (95% Confidence Interval [CI]:0.10,1.14), 0.09% increase in HbA1c (95%CI: 0.04, 0.15), 1.19% increase in percent body fat (95%CI: 0.18, 2.20), and 0.96 kg/m2 increase in BMI (0.11, 1.80) in adulthood. Among participants with higher childhood stress levels, we observed significant associations of traffic-related total NOx with total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, HbA1c, insulin, and BMI. None of these associations were significant among people with lower stress levels. We observed similar statistically significant associations of traffic density. ConclusionLong-term childhood exposure to TRAP in childhood may have lasting adverse impacts on cardiometabolic health, especially for children with higher stress levels.

The Distribution of Carceral Harm: County-Level Jail Incarceration and Mortality by Race, Sex, and Age

Jail incarceration remains an overlooked yet crucial component of the U.S. carceral system. Although a growing literature has examined the mortality costs associated with residing in areas with high levels of incarceration, far less is known about how local jails shape this burden at the intersection of race, sex, and age. In this study, I examine the relationship between county-level jail incarceration and age-specific mortality for non-Hispanic Black and White men and women, uniquely leveraging race-specific jail rates to account for the unequal racial distribution of jail exposures. This study finds evidence of positive associations between mortality and jail incarceration: this association peaks in late adulthood (ages 50–64), when increases in jail rates are associated with roughly 3% increases in mortality across all race–sex groups. However, patterns vary at the intersection of race, sex, and age. In particular, I find more marked and consistent penalties among women than among men. Additionally, a distinctly divergent age pattern emerges among Black men, who face insignificant but negative associations at younger ages but steep penalties at older ages—significantly larger among those aged 65 or older relative to their White male and Black female counterparts. Evidence further suggests that the use of race-neutral incarceration measures in prior work may mask the degree of harm associated with carceral contexts, because the jail rate for the total population underestimates the association between jail rates and mortality across nearly all race–age–sex combinations. These findings highlight the need for future ecological research to differentiate between jail and prison incarceration, consider the demographic distribution of incarceration's harms, and incorporate racialized measures of exposure so that we may better capture the magnitude of harm associated with America's carceral state.

Transitions in Suicide Risk from Early Adolescence to Early Adulthood

Objective Understanding patterns of suicide risk over the course of development can aid our ability to prevent suicide. Our community-based study examined changes in suicide risk status and predictors of changes in risk status in a sample of 521 adolescents over six assessments between the start of middle school and young adulthood (ages 12–22). Methods Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) were measured with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and the Moods and Feelings Questionnaire. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was utilized to evaluate transitions in suicide risk status over the course of development. Nine risk factors’ initial values and change over time were modeled as predictors in the LTA. Results Latent class analysis identified a four-class model of developmental suicide risk patterns: Class 1: Infrequent STB (73–87% of participants), Class 2: Diminishing STB (1–17% of participants), Class 3: Escalating STB (6–16% of participants), and Class 4: Consistently High STB (1–5% of participants). LTA demonstrated that infrequent STB members and escalating STB members were likely to maintain their risk class across time points. Conclusions Classification of STB trajectories demonstrated self-worth and family involvement were salient variables affecting transitions in risk over time and suggest prevention targets early in adolescence that could have impact on suicide risk in adulthood.

A longitudinal investigation of parenting, depression, and counseling use among Asian American adolescents.

Asian American adolescents are equally or more likely to experience depression but less likely to seek treatment for depression than adolescents from other racial and ethnic groups in the US. The current study examined the long-term effects of parental care, parental control, and parental closeness on depression and counseling use among Asian American adolescents. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we conducted a cross-lagged path analysis with 270 Asian American adolescents (48.1% female; 51.9% male). The study used data from Waves I, II, and III (1994-2002) with participants' mean ages ranging from 14 to 23. Findings indicated that the cross-sectional relationships between parenting characteristics and depression were stronger than the longitudinal relationships suggesting that parenting practices may be a stronger proximal, rather than distal, predictor of depression. Specifically, parental closeness was associated with less depression in early and mid-adolescence (age 12-18), but the relationship changed direction in young adulthood (age 18-26). Additionally, a significant interaction suggested that parental care was related to fewer depressive symptoms for those who reported high, compared to low, parental control in mid-adolescence (age 14-18). Furthermore, high parental care was associated with more counseling use at high levels of control. However, high parental care was associated with less counseling use at low levels of parental control in early adolescence. These results highlight the importance of understanding parenting characteristics using longitudinal designs when examining the development of depression and help-seeking behaviors among Asian American adolescents.

Context Matters: Internet Usage and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Later life is often categorized by higher-than-average levels of loneliness, but individual differences are vast and not well understood. Emerging evidence indicates that broad-based contextual factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic - and the use of the internet throughout - are differentially associated with the experience of loneliness. We therefore target internet usage and loneliness among middle-aged and older adults during the pandemic and examine the moderating role of age, gender, and limiting illness therein. We applied hierarchical regression models to data from the COVID-19 sub-study Wave 1 (June/July 2020) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N= 4,790; Mage= 70.2; SD= 9.0; range: 50-90; 43.5% male). Infrequent internet use was associated with less loneliness compared to very frequent users - an association that strengthened with age. Conversely, purpose of internet use was associated with more loneliness, with higher levels exhibited by those searching for health-related information - an effect stronger among those with a limiting illness. Findings imply that infrequent internet use may reduce loneliness, while health-related internet searches may increase loneliness among older adults with different physical capacities. Findings are contrary to pre-pandemic reports, underscoring the importance of broad-based contextual factors for understanding loneliness across adulthood and old age.

Soft skills and their relationship with life satisfaction and cognitive reserve in adulthood and older age

Soft skills are key factors for success in multiple contexts of daily life, as well as for life satisfaction, but little is known about their role in late adulthood and older age. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationships of soft skills, as defined by the World Economic Forum, with two indicators of successful/healthy aging: life satisfaction and cognitive reserve. A sample of 435 adults aged 50 and over completed self-reported measures of soft skills, life satisfaction, and cognitive reserve. As control, fluid (reasoning) and crystalized (vocabulary) intelligence were assessed too, along with socio-demographic characteristics. A series of regression analyses showed that soft skills were positively related to both life satisfaction and, to a lower extent, cognitive reserve, above and beyond gender, age, and both fluid and crystallized intelligence. Interestingly, these associations were independent from participants’ age. Overall, these results highlight the importance of considering soft skills also over the middle-late adult life course, due to the potential role of these individual qualities in supporting an individual’s well-being and an active and engaged lifestyle, with implications for the promotion of a healthy aging.

Lagged effects of childhood depressive symptoms on adult epigenetic aging.

Cross-sectional studies have identified health risks associated with epigenetic aging. However, it is unclear whether these risks make epigenetic clocks 'tick faster' (i.e. accelerate biological aging). The current study examines concurrent and lagged within-person changes of a variety of health risks associated with epigenetic aging. Individuals from the Great Smoky Mountains Study were followed from age 9 to 35 years. DNA methylation profiles were assessed from blood, at multiple timepoints (i.e. waves) for each individual. Health risks were psychiatric, lifestyle, and adversity factors. Concurrent (N = 539 individuals; 1029 assessments) and lagged (N = 380 individuals; 760 assessments) analyses were used to determine the link between health risks and epigenetic aging. Concurrent models showed that BMI (r = 0.15, PFDR < 0.01) was significantly correlated to epigenetic aging at the subject-level but not wave-level. Lagged models demonstrated that depressive symptoms (b = 1.67 months per symptom, PFDR = 0.02) in adolescence accelerated epigenetic aging in adulthood, also when models were fully adjusted for BMI, smoking, and cannabis and alcohol use. Within-persons, changes in health risks were unaccompanied by concurrent changes in epigenetic aging, suggesting that it is unlikely for risks to immediately 'accelerate' epigenetic aging. However, time lagged analyses indicated that depressive symptoms in childhood/adolescence predicted epigenetic aging in adulthood. Together, findings suggest that age-related biological embedding of depressive symptoms is not instant but provides prognostic opportunities. Repeated measurements and longer follow-up times are needed to examine stable and dynamic contributions of childhood experiences to epigenetic aging across the lifespan.